50 


THE 


PLEASURES  AND  DUTIES 

OF 

WEALTH. 

BY  C.    S.    RAFINESQUE. 
A.  M.— PH.  D. 

Professor  of  historical  and  natural  Sciences, 

member  of  many  learned  Societies  in 

France,  Germany,  Belgium,  Denmark, 

Switzerland,  Italy  and  the  United 

States,  fyc.    Author  of  many 

works, 


In  deeds  of  good  import  yoijr  wealth  employ, 
And  happiness  bestow,  yotirsekes '  en;^. ',   »>>-. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED    FOR   THE    ELEUTHKRIUM   OF   KNOWLEDGE. 

1840. 


* 


2%e  'great  jp06/  LAMARTINE,  #as  sazV/  m  his 
travels  in  the  holy  land — The  spirit  of  family 
is  the  second  soul  of  humanity,  Legislators 
forget  this  by  thinking  only  of  Nations  and  In- 
viduals;  all  ought  to  have  a  home  and  a 

field The  social,  political  and  religious 

worlds  are  not  well  organized,  but  are  full  of 

abuses  ....  the  age  of  reason  is  coming,  new 

ideas,  new  social  forms  are  required.  ...  A 

religious,  moral,  social  and  political  body,  having 

a  standard  (of  correct  principles),  a  rule,  a  chief, 

an  object,  a  true  spirit,  recalling  Religion  to 

mutual  Love,  politics  to  fraternal  Love,  proper- 

t  ty,  to  charity  and  utility,  their  only  titles  and 

•bases.  ,.'•./  SlKjti,  Would  achieve  the  great  reform 

.  of.mankmd,  called'fpr  by  millions  .  .  ,  the  Cross 

iaicdVihe*  'ftess'-are'  the  two  Engines  that  will 

achieve  it — Let  me  add  Wealth  united  to  Lone 

vf  God  and  Men. 


THE  PLEASURES  AND   DUTIES  OF 
WEALTH. 

1,  Ever  since    Cupidity   became  a  human 
passion,  the  desire  of  acquiring  Wealth  has  more 
or  less  prevailed  among  all  Nations  and   Indi- 
viduals ;  often  becoming  their  banes  when  the 
proper  uses  of  Wealth  have  been  forgotten. 

2,  Ever  since  Property  was  introduced  as  a 
reward  of  Industry,  the  wish  to  obtain,  increase 
and  secure  its  accumulation  by  Individuals,  fa- 
milies, corporations,  tribes  or  Nations,  has  be- 
come paramount  to  all  others;  and  this  passion 
has  often  been  gratified  by  very  improper  means, 
Injustice,  Oppression,  Strife  and  even  Blood- 
shed .  .  .  thro'  Cunning,  Force,  War  or  Bad 
Laws :    whether  this   desirable   property  was 
Land,  Chattels,  Estates,  Money  or  Services. 

3,  In  the  greedy  pursuit  after  Wealth  and 
Property,  the  human  sinful  Vices  of  Qitpidity 
and  Avarice,  have  been  unfclded  and  gratified; 
nay  indulged  and  encouraged  *>y.  Social  Laws, 
in  spite  of  the  precepts  of  Morality,  Honesty 
and  Religion*  Instead  of  Wealth  being  the  re- 
ward of  Industry,  Sobriety  and  Prudence,  it  is 
oftener  the  consequence  of  Extortion,  Monopo- 
lies, Speculation,  Inheritance  or  even  Despoil- 
ing ...  disguised  under  the  terms  of  fair  trade, 
good  luck,  legal  rights,  &c. 

4,  This  had  been  perceived  by  the  best  Le- 
gislators, Mof  alists  and  Founders  of  Religions  : 
they  endeavored  to  restrain  the  abuses  and  evils 
introduced  by  Cupidity,  and  the  allied  passions 
of  Ambition,  Avarice,  Lust,  Coveting,  tyc.  .  . 
but  often  in  vain,  the  sinful  propensities  of  man- 
kind  nearly  overcoming  all    the   nominal  re- 

664342 


straints,  unless  coerced  by  direct  laws,  or  guided 
by  the  holy  Spirit  of  Charity. 

5,  If  the  holy  Religion  of  LOVE  TO  GOD  AND 
MEN,  which  we  profess  nominally,  (but  seldom 
effectually)    has  not   been    able  to  overcome 
thoroughly  the  evils  of  Cupidity,  how  are  we 
to  hope  for  the  ultimate  reform  of  mankind,  un- 
less  we  endeavor  to  achieve  whatever  was  in- 
culcated by  it.  .  .  The  love  of  our  fellow  beings, 
and  the  universal  DIFFUSION  of  happiness. 

6,  Perhaps,  it  was  designed  by  Providence, 
that  this  prevailing  passion,  should  be  one  of  the 
means  to  be  employed  to  attain  the  desirable 
end  of  mutual  Concord  and  Happiness*    It  is 
believed  by  many  that  several  baneful  Passions, 
if  well  directed  or  gratified  to  a  certain  extent, 
may  evolve  good   results.     Thus  if  Cupidity 
may  be  modified   by  Generosity,  Patriotism, 
Benevolence,  Learning  or  even  Ostentation, 
Vanity,  the  Love  of  Glory,  &c.  we  might  hope 

^o'see  it,  e'^ei^ed  ifor  the  good  of  mankind,  in- 
stead of  the  Vfciaus  ends  of  Selfishness,  A.va- 
|r»i?c>i^Pr'w?i  ovJZr,ujBlty. 

?,  But  the  great  aim  of  this  life  being  Happi- 
ness, and  Enjoyments  now  and  hereafter,  if  the 
possessors  of  Wealth  can  be  persuaded  to  derive 
them  from  the  pure  sources  of  gratification  that 
they  can  command,  instead  of  the  indulgence  of 
vicious  pursuits,  it  is  certain  that  if  they  become 
convinced  of  this,  they  will  neither  refuse  nor 
delay  to  seek  and  secure  such  pure  enjoyments, 
that  are  besides  in  accordance  with  the  human 
and  divine  laws,  and  so  likely  to  obtain  our 
grateful  approbation. 

8,  Therefore  it  may  be  useless  to  ascend  to 
the  Origin  of  their  Wealth,  or  try  to  impair  its 
tenure,  if  improperly  obtained  ;  let  us  take  the 


things  as  they  are  (altho'  not  always  as 
ought  to  he;)  and  try  at  least  to  improve  them, 
Having  ascertained   that    Wealth    improperl 
used  or'  wasted   in  Strife,  War,  Vices,  Luxury, 
Gambling,  &c.  becomes  baneful  to  bodies  an< 
Souls,  Men  and  Nations,  let  us  show  instead 
useful  it  becomes  when  properly  invested 
employed  in  deeds  of  Peace,  Charity,  Science, 
Philanthropy,  Education,    Improvements    an< 
other  attainments  deserving  and  obtaining praisi 
and  reward  now  and  hereafter. 

9,  Mankind  has  often  been  divided  in  two 
Classes,  the  Rich  or  Wealthy,  and  the  Poor  or 
Indigent ;  which  have  been  ostensibly  arrayed 
against  each  other  ;  but  there  is  a  third  and  me- 
dial class,  which  balances  these  two,  and  often 
happily  preponderates :  it  is  that  nameless  mid- 
dle Class  of  Individuals  neither  rich  nor  poor, 
with  a  competence  of  property  or  emoluments 
or  labor,  that  possess  neither  the  superfluity  of 
Wealth,  nor  dread  the  evils  of  poverty.    To  this 
Class  we  see  at  all  times  ascending  the  indus- 
trious Poor  or  descending  the  prodigal  Rich,   It 
is  this  Class  that  forms  the  Nucleus  and  main 
strength  of  society,  and  to  which  if  all  could  be- 
long, there  would  no  longer  be  to  fear  the  evils 
of  exuberant  Wealth  or  destitute  Indigence. 

10,  But  even  among  Rich  and  Poor,  a  dis- 
tinction must  be  made  (not  seldom  forgotten)  of 
the  Worthy  Rich  or  Poor,  and  the  Vicious  or 
Unworthy.    The  Vicious  Poor  sink  into  Pau- 
pers, Mendicants,  Drones,  Thieves,  &c.  while 
the  Vicious  Rich  become  Prodigals,  Misers, 
Monopolizers,   Tyrants,  &c. — Those  exalted 
into  Nobles,  Lords,  Kings,  &c.  by  peculiar  In- 
stitutions, may  be  either  Good  or  Bad,  Worthy 

1* 


or  Unworthy,  Virtuous  or  Vicious,  and  thus  pro- 
duce extensive  happiness  or  misery. 

11,  It  is  found  that  all  Laws  human  and  di- 
vine, are  ineffectual  to  restrain  those  who  unite 
great  Wealth  and  power  ;  they  break  them  all 
whenever  led  by  passion  or  whims.     The  very 
same  effect  takes  place  with  the  very  Poor,  who 
impelled   by  necessity,  destitution  and  Hunger, 
must  sometimes  obey  the  great  natural  laws, 
bidding  human  beings  to  preserve  life  and  ex- 
istence at  any  rate.     Whence  arise  the  great 
dangers  of  inordinate  \vealth  or  deep  poverty  in 
Society,  which  it  is  the  duty  of  legislators  and 
moralists  to  lessen  by  all  practicable  means. 

12,  Wealth  is  power,  Knowledge  is  power, 
Industry  is  power !  they  all  might  combine  to 
achieve  the  great  aim  of  general  security,  mo- 
rality and  happiness.    Wealth  should  furnish  the 
means,  Knowledge  unfold  the  ways,  Industry 
effect  them.  Yet  if  any  one  of  them  despises  the 
others  or  does  not  value  them,  they  become  inef- 
fectual and  powerless  for  good  purposes:  while 
their  triple  power  if  continued,  would  be  over- 
whelming.     Union   is  strength,   but  Union  of 
Powers  is  the  Great  Lever  of  Archimedes,  the 
Lever  that  would  move  the  moral,  political  and 
social  Worlds. 

13,  The  unshackled  Industry  of  Men  and 
Women,  if  not  restrained  by  bad  laws,  and  the 
competition  of  rivals,  might  of  itself  achieve 
much,  since  any  labor  can  produce  exuberant 
Wealth,  particularly  if  aided  by  knowledge ;  but 
unfortunately  Labor  is  apt  to  undervalue  know- 
ledge or  improvements,  and  to  lean  towards  the 
support  of  Wealth  or  Capital  that  feeds  the  La- 
borers at  a  higher  rate  of  profits. 

14,  Competition  is  the  great  obstacle  to  un- 


obstructed  production  of  food,  and  every  other 
commodity.  Both  Industry  and  Knowledge 
feel  its  effect,  there  is  a  constant  rivality  aniong 
Laborers,  producers,  teachers,  authors,  &c.  be- 
cause their  exuberant  labors  may  clog  the  mar- 
kets. But  Wealth  hardly  feels  the  effects  of 
Competition,  whence  its  superiority.  Yet  when 
moved  by  Cupidity,  it  tries  to  monopolize  some 
objects,  such  as  Land,  or  Corn,  or  Money,  ,  . 
So  as  to  make  all  other  classes  subservient. 

15,  There  is  a  constant  Strife  between  Wealth 
and  Labor,  to  give  more  or  less  of  each  in  ex- 
change,  whence   the   perpetual  fluctuation  of 
prices,  their  sudden  rises  and  falls.   If  a  correct 
and  general  standard  of  values  could  be  found 
less  variable  than  corn,  labor  or  metals,  a  more 
adequate  rate  of  equitable  exchange  could  be 
introduced.     Those  who  have  proposed  Labor 
have  overlooked  the  quality  of  it,  and  the  kind 
of  knowledge  required  for  its  production, 

16,  Some  have  proposed  Land  as  a  measure 
of  value,  but  it  is  so  variable  in  quality,  situation, 
improvements  on  it,  &c.  that  it  will  not  do,  and 
metals  are  yet  the  most  useful  and  general,  as 
they  can  command  all  others  :  therefore  Labor, 
Industry,  Knowledge  and  Wealth  are  measured 
by  them,  whether  they  be  Gold  or  Silver,  Cop- 
per or  Iron,  or  else  their  equivalents. 

17,  Several  means  however  exist  to  unite, 
bind  and  conciliate  the  three  great  Interests  and 
Powers  of  Wealth,  Knowledge  and  Industry, 
whereby  to  lessen  the  evil  effects  of  Competition, 
and  events  enhance  the  effects  of  their  combina- 
tion, by  multiplying  the  production  of  useful  ob- 
jects beyond  conception,  and  thus  the  means  of 
general  enjoyments,  while  Wealth  itself  will  be 


8 


increased  and  adequately  remunerated  by  a  pro- 
portionate increase  of  enjoyments  and  delights. 

18,  Some  modes  altho'  opposed  to  each  other, 
may  effect  nearly  the  same  purpose — They  are 
1.  to  establish  a  uniform  High  rate  of  values 
for    every    Property    or    Labor    performed, 
neither  being  refused  when  tendered  at  that  rate, 
but   payable  only  in  other  Properties,   effects, 
commodities  or  labors,  equally  high  rated— 2d. 
Or  to   adopt  a  Minimum  or  very  low  rate  of 
valuations  for  every  thing  tendered  payable  or 
exchangable  at  the  similar  low  rates — 3rd,  Or 
for  any  one  to  fix  his  own  price  to  every  thing, 
but  be  paid  also  in  objects  at  the  rate  of  the  pro- 
ducer, this  should  be  the  voluntary  plan. 

19,  Such  practice  or  experiment  of  Highest 
and  Lowest  Values  can  of  course  be  only  used 
by  mutual  consent  of  a  set  of  families,  or  Com- 
pany, Association,  or  Community,  large  or  small 
.  .  ,  and  their  full  effects  and  consequences  can 
only  be  ascertained  by  practice  on  a  large  scale. 
But  it  is  obvious  at  a  glance  that  they  offer  such 
inducements  and  advantages  to  all,  that  provi- 
ded the  rates  be  justly  equalized,  whether  High 
or  Low,  they  cannot  fail  by  their  very  disparity 
to  suit  most  classes  of  Wealthy  men,  Laborers 
and  Pr9ducers. 

20,  This  may  be  called  the  MUTUAL  SYSTEM, 
those  who  may  employ  it  will  become  MUTUAL- 
ISTS,  and  either  rates  may  be  used  separately  or 
together.     To  unfold  the  practical  benefits  of 
both  would  require  a  volume:  it  may  however  be 
asserted  that  the  High  rates  of  exchanges  will 
suit  every  body  RICH  or  POOR,  as  every  one  will 
like  to  see  its  Land  or  Houses  or  Goods  or  La- 
bor, rated  at  five-fold  or  ten-fold  of  usual  prices, 
and  obtain  whatever  he  wants,  altho'  it  may  be 


9 

at  similar  high  rates.    This  will  therefore  invite 
Sellers  or  Exchangers,  but  may  repel  buyers. 

21,  On  the  contrary  the  Minimum  or  Low 
rates  would  invite  buyers,  but  repel  Sellers,  un- 
less divested  of  all  Cupidity,  and  acting  at  last 
upon  the  beneficial  plan  of  reducing  all  prices  to 
the  least  metallic  term  of  value,  the  best  plan 
perhaps  after  all;   but  the  Maximum  would  be 
most  acceptable  at  first,  until  Cupidity  is  fully 
gratified  and  overcome. 

22,  Let  us  merely  shew"  the  main  effects  of 
these  two  Mutual  Systems.   For  instance  in  the 
Maximum  at  ten-fold  rates,  the  Wealthy  Capi- 
talist would  receive  50  or  60  per  Cent,  interest 
or  profit  on  any  Metalic  Capital  put  in  Mutual 
concern   or    exchange ;   while  the   Industrious 
Farmer  would  receive  $2  a  pound  for  his  butter, 
or  $50  for  his  flour,  or  the  Laborer  One  Dollar 
per  hour  of  labor  ....  but  never  payable  in  me- 
talic   coin,   but   in'  Certificates  of  Exchanged 
Values. 

23,  At  the  Minimum  rates,  altho'  the  Capi- 
talist might  receive  only  one  per  Cent,  per  annum 
on  his  coihj  he  could  obtain  butter  at  two  Cents 
the  pound,  flour  at  50  Cents  the  barrel,  labor  at 
ten  Cents  per  day  .  .  .  and  so  on.     If  Capital  is 
seldom  tendered  at  this  rate,  yet  when  tendered 
at  the  high  rates  of  50  per  Cent,  it  may  be 
available  for  the  few  purposes  where  Coin  may 
be  indispensable,  and  by  a  nice  calculation  of 
High  and  low  rates  in  ratio  to  fluctuating  values 
will  afford  a  fair  profit  even  then, 

2i,  It  nefed  not  be  said  that  there  is  a  fallacy 
in  these  prices  since  they  after  all  equalize  each 
other:  it  is  so,  but  their  utility  is  this  very  equity 
and  equality,  always  unvariablel  while  all  prices 
fluctuate  around,  and  by  availing  of  these  flue-' 
2 


10 

tuations,  either  the  Individuals  or  the  Managers 
of  the  Exchanges  may  be  enahlcd  to  realize  im- 
mense profits,  buying  at  low  prices,  selling  at 
high  prices,  and  investing  in  unvariable  rates, 
in  which  they  can  always  command  the  needful 
for  comfort  or  use.  By  the  Voluntary  plan  any 
objection  to  these  are  obviated,  but  Cupidity 
may  avail  itself  of  it  to  the  detriment  of  good  men, 
by  overvaluing  their  own  labors,  &c. 

25,  It  will  be  easily  perceived  what  advantage 
an  Association,  CM*  Community  or   even  Nation, 
would    have   over   all   others,   by  removing  all 
checks  to  Industry  and  Production  of  all  kinds, 
and  storing  for  use  whatever  is  produced  ;  while 
Properties  and   Metallic  Wealth  would  find  an 
overwhelming   inducement  in  the   nominal   in- 
crease of  value,  or  if  preferred  in  the  very  cheap 
attainment  of  all  enjoyments  and  Useful  commo- 
dities. 

26,  If  these  Schemes  however  were  to  be  ap- 
plied merely  as  Speculations,   they  should  offer 
but  a  new  way  of  indulging  Cupidity  ;  the  pur- 
pose for  which  contemplated,  is  far  removed  from 
any  such  design.  It  is  meant  on  contrary  to  check 
and  control  Cupidity  by  equalizing  prices  or  rates, 
and  Competition  by  opening  a  mart  or  marts  for* 
whatever  Industry  may  produce  to  any  extent, 
without  ever  any  glut, affording  adequate  rewards 
to  labor  whenever  depreciated. 

27,  In  the  great  actual  conflict  of  human  pas- 
sions and  miseries,  there  are  some  Philosophers 
who  aim ,  to   better  mankind,  and   lessen  these 
miseries  if  not  the  passions,  or  avail  themselves 
of  these  very  passions  to  evolve  some  good.  Altho' 
their  Schemes  and  Systems  are  widely  different, 
yet  they  all  have  the  same  aim,  and  if  either  ean- 
attain  the   object,  they  are  surely  worthy  of  er> 


11 

quiry  and  trial.  Three  of  them  deserye  most 
notice  as  having  already  many  helievers  or  pro- 
moters. They  are  the  Apostolic  plan,  2d,  the 
Mutual  Plan,  and  3rd  the  Social  Plan. 

28,  The  Apostolic  or   Evangelical  plan  of 
improving  Mankind,  is  perhaps  the  very   best, 
since  it  is  the  very  Religion  vvo  profess  to  be- 
lieve.    Deemed  of  Divine  Origin,  venerable  by 
Age  and  good  deeds,  pure  and  holy  when  first 
promulgated  and  uridejiled  by  human  passions, 
it  however  admits  and  tolerates  in  our  times  of 
all  the  sinful  practices  of  Paganism;   of  Wars, 
Quarrels,    Lawsuits,    Pride,   Cupidity,   Vices, 
Crimes,   &c.  but  fortunately  it  admits  also  and 
predicts  a  different    Era  to  come,  called  a  2d 
Golden  Age,  or  Millenium,  when  all  these  evils 
shall  cease,  and  Justice  prevail  with  Love  .and 
Charity,  producing  Happiness. 

29,  The  majority  of  the  nominal   Xrlstians 
do  not  follow  this  Evangelical  Religion,  but  are 
immersed  in  Sinful  practices.     There  are  how- 
ever some  Churches,  Societies  or  Individuals, 
who  aware  of  the  Sinsof  the  worldly  throng,  ab- 
stain from  these  evils,  arid  dwell  in  peace,  in  or 
out  of  the  Social  crowd.     Such  are  the  Friends 
or  Quakers,  the  Believers  or  Shakers,  the  Mo- 
ravians,  Harmonites,*  Zoarites,   Russian  Qua- 
kers,  and  many  others,  who  commonly  live  in 
communities  as  did  the  Apostles  and  follow  the 
tenets  of  primitive  Evangelical  Religion, 

30,  To  all  Wealthy  men  who  are  righteous 
and  pious,  these  Societies  offer  the  means  of 
doing  much  good,  either  by  joining  them,  or  by 
bestowing  them  Endowments  for  good  and  cha- 
ritable purposes  ;  but  each  Society  having  been 
formed  by  ignorant   (altho' -well   meaning)  men 
or  women,  partako  of  their  imperfection,  and 


;thus  ignorance,  cupidity  or  celibacy,  or  some 
peculiar  tenets  involve  them  in  obloquy  nnd  re- 
strain the  friends  of  religion,  by  thejr  absurdity 
or  partiality. 

31,  But  how  easy  and    practicable  for  any 
Enlightened  Worthy  Man  endowed  with  great 
Wealth,  to   become  one  of  the  Benefactors  of 
Mankind,  and  Promoter  of  true  Religion,  by  es- 
tablishing himself  some  similar  Society  or  Com- 
munity of  pious,  industrious  men  and  women, 
pot  to  live  as  Monks  and  Nuns  ;  but  to  increase 
and  multiply  as  fast  as  possible  and  fill  the  world 
with  Evangelical  beings. 

32,  Nay,  this  might  be  the  way  to  hasten  the 
Millenium  so  much  desired  and  hoped  for  by  the 
pious.     Altho*  so  often  foretold  in  vain,  some 
hope  it  may   happen  in  1847  or  a  few  years ! 
What  glory  for  He  who  shall  prepare  it,  or  con- 
ciliate all  the  Sects  by  restoring  them  to  the 
Single  pure  tenet  of  LOVE  TO  GOD  AIVD  MEN,  from 
which  shall  flow  all  the  other  requisite  blessings, 
This  shall   be  the  real  Religion  of  the  Evan- 
gelists, instead  of  our  corrupt  Sinful  Sects. 

33,  Altho"  all  good  deeds  and  endowments 
may  contribute  to  lessen  the  human  Miseries, 
yQt  a  Single  Man  or  a  few  Men,  who  would 
buy  or  give  several  large  tracts  of  Land,  and 
dedicate  them  forever  to  the  perpetual  use  of 
good,  temperate,  peaceful,  industrious  families, 
that  would  live  thereon  in  Evangelical  Concord 
of  mutual  labor,  help  and  instruction  .  .  .  would 
thereby  achieve  a  great  victory  over  the  Sinful 
World,  and  lay  the  foundations  of  the  Evangelic 
and  Apostolic  times  to  come,  whether  a  mille- 
nium  or  something  else. 

34,  There,  this  new  Apostle,  could  become  a 
Legislator  and  Reformer,  he  might  suggest  Of 


13 

establish  perpetual  Laws,  neither  restraining 
Marriage  nor  Industry,  and  proscribing  only 
Quarrels,  Intemperance  and  all  Vices;  neither 
dictating  Tenets  nor  Dogmas,  but  asking  Mutual 
Love  and  Concord,  from  which  naturally  flow 
Happiness,  Prosperity  and  Enjoyments  of  all 
kinds^ — Inviting  all  the  good,  the  poor,  the 
wretched,  the  unhappy  of  this  World  (of  which 
millions  exist)  to  come  and  dwell  in  peace  in 
this  Evangelic  Asylum  ;  their  labor  and  indus- 
try would  amply  support  them,  since  they  only 
ask  and  'require  a  peaceful  gratuitous  asylum, 
instead  of  the  heavy  evils,  rents,  profits,  taxes, 
&c.  to  be  paid  in  the  corrupt  Social  State. 

35,  If  only  100  families  were  collected,  they 
would  increase  ten-fold  in  a  few  years;  out  of 
their  Savings  they  could  buy  or  procure  other 
Lands,  establish  Colonies,  multiply  beyond  be- 
lief,  and   form  innumerable  Clusters  of  happy 
Beings,    ready   for  any   further  improvement. 
The  System  of  families  ought  not  to  be  broken, 
since  fathers  and  mothers  are  the  natural  heads 
and  patriarchs  of  their  offspring:  the  patriarchal 
government   could  be  restored   by  giving  pre- 
ponderance to  fathers  and  mothers  of  families, 
according  to  the  size  of  their  families.   Industry 
and  Knowledge   ought  also  to  be  promoted  by 
rewarding  each  according  to  their  manual  and 
mer)tal  labors. 

36,  As  if  to  shame  us,  the  Social  p\an  of  Owen 
and  others,  has  lately  been  promulgated  ;  altho' 
revived  frojn  the  dreams  of  Plato,  or  the  Cre- 
tan Laws,  or  the  Pythagorean  Schools,  or  the 
Hindu  and  Peruvian  Communities ;    nay  pub- 
lished 100  years  ago  in  France.   The  Socialists 
or  Owenists  now  claiming  to  be  reformers  also, 
(altho' discarding  Religion  and  Moral  principles 

2* 


11 

or  even  thcj  merits  of  Skill  and  Industry,)  have 
spread  in  England  and  America,  by  turns  suc- 
cessful or  desponding,  they  still  cling  to  their 
infatuation,  by  adopting  the  principles  of  Social 
Harmony ;  which  arc  in  fact  the  practical  part 
of  the  first  Apostolic  Communities,  and  the  Es- 
senians  their  progenitors, 

37,  Community  of  property  has  always  been 
deemed  a  more  perfect  mode  of  life,  and  when 
the  Nazarens  or  Evangelists  became  gradually 
Sinful  Xristlans  admitting  Cupidity  and  other 
Vices,  they  yet  venerated   the  Therapeuts  or 
Monks  and  Nuns,  that  kept  the  practical  tenet 
of  common  goods  and  labor.   In  order  to  restore 
the  purity  and   further  improve  this  very  old 
Apostolic  Dogma,  it  is  only  needful  to  add  there- 
to the  important  improvement  of  adequate  and 
proportionate  reward  of  Wealth,  "Knowledge, 
Talents  and  Labor  !  acting  in  concord.     Thus 
the  baneful  Social  (or  Anti-Social)    tenets  of 
Owen  and  others,  will  be  banished,  by  the  pure 
light  and  practice  of  Evangelical  Concord. 

38,  This  may  be  done  by  the  Mutual  plais, 
proposed  in  France  by  St.  Simon,  Fourier,  Con- 
siderant  and  others ;  which  they   have  unfortu- 
nately promulgated  chieflv  in  theory,  and  drown- 
ed in  long  intricate  details,  whereby  it  is  often 
difficult  to   ascertain  their  meaning.     Fourier 
was  so  Sanguine  as  to  suppose  that  the  whole 
world  would  adopt  at  once  his  Scheme  of  Social 
or  Mutual  Phalanx  ;  but  he  died  before  a  sin- 
gle one  could  be  fairly  tried.     He  has  left  how- 
ever zealous  disciples,  some  of  whom  have  reach- 
ed America,  and  a  Phalanx  is  said  to  be  under 
trial  near  Paris :  while  the  St.  Simonians  at- 
tempting a  New  Sect,   abolishing  family  ties, 
have  been  persecuted  and  dispersed. 


15 

39,  The.  pith  of  this  new  theory  (if  new  it  is) 
appears  to  be  that  all  the  human  passions  are 
to  be  made  subservient  to   useful   purposes  by 
their  gratification;  a  dangerous  principle  if  some 
baneful  passions  are  notexcepted,  and  evil  pro- 
pensities not  controled  when  they  inflict  pain  on 
others — However  the  utmost  tolerance  is  incul- 
cated which  is  right,  and   each   Mutttalist  or 
member  of  a  Phalanx,  is  to   be  lodged,  fed  and 
treated  in  proportion  to  his  capital,  skill,  talents, 
industry  and  activity. 

40,  Such  an  ultimate  plan  is  of  course  excel- 
lent and  quite  practicable,  since  it  appeals  at 
once  to  the  interested  passions  of  all,  even  Cu- 
pidity, I  anity,  Ambition,  tyc.      It  admits  also 
of  as  many  separate  and  intricate  bodies  as  our 
individual  Society  Systems,  since  as  many  Clubs 
or  Associations  for  any  purpose  whatever  can 
be  formed  within  the  Phalanx  or  Mutual  Social 
Body,  by  any  one  who  chosesor  can. 

4!,  Fourier  contemplated  a  Hierarchy  and 
Political  System  in  his  plan,  that  may  not  suit 
us  ;  but  may  do  in  Europe.  He  said  that  No- 
bles, Princes  and  even  Kings  might  be  members 
of  his  Social  System,  and  become  wealthier  and 
more  powerful  thereby.  We  may  have  instead 
Legislators  and  Judges,  Priests  and  Teachers, 
Generals  (of  peace)  and  Presidents,  and  this 
may  satisfy  the  ambitious. 

42,  But  to  be  the  Pounder  of  a  Mutual 
Cluster  of  Happy  beings  (which  may  be  called 
an  Eden,  Elysium,Agathon,  Arcadia,  Olbion 
or  Eutopia)  will  gratify  the  highest  ambition  ; 
and  to  do  so,  it  is  only  required  for  a  Wealthy 
man  to  set  the  example,  and  say,  I  wish  to  be 
happy  by  making  the  happiness  of  WOO  fellow 
Icings,  without  losing  a  Dollar  by  it,  since  I  may 


16 

give  them  my  Estate  or  money  in  perpetuity,  for 
which  they  will  pay  me  a  good  annuity,  or  a  per- 
petual income  if  I  have  heirs  to  gratify ! 

43,  The  inducements  for  Laborers  under  this 
Scheme  is  their  mutual  comfort  and   support, 
cheaper   food    and    expenses   by    clubbing  for 
cooking  and  every  thing  else,  besides1  a  proposal 
quite  peculiar  to  make  Labor  as  easy  andplea- 
sant  as  a  festival.    Ploughing,  reaping,  manual 
labor,  &c.  are  to  be  performed  with  songs,  music 
and  dances,  just  as  if  going  to  a  wedding — This 
is  certainly  something  new,  (unless  martial  mu- 
sic for  soldiers  is  a  pattern)  and  altho'  it  may 
not  suit  the  good  followers  of  Perm,- it  will  suit 
nine-tenths  of  Laborers  and  working  men:  four 
hours  of  daily  labor  or  feasting  will  support  any 
one  and  leave  him  twelve  hours  for  study,  read- 
ing, recreation,  extra  labor*  exercise,  meals,  &c. 
besides  8  for  sleep.     Competition  is  also  to  be 
abolished  and  the  hardest  work  the  best  paid. 

44,  Altho'  the  mutualities  were  contempla- 
ted to  be  chiefly  rural  Communities,  in  order 
to  raise  the  needful  food ;  they  might  also  be 
attempted  in  Cities,  which  are  Centralists  of 
Knowledge  and  Capital.     A  few  houses  put  in 
Common  stock,  some  tools,  shops,  trades,  &c. 
might  be  sufficient  to  begin  with  ;  but  rents  and' 
profits  that  absorb  nearly  all  the  fruits  of  Labor 
must  be  avoided  as  much  as  wages  and  extra' 
expenses.     By  all  bein£  put  in  Common  Stock 
for  a  term  or  forever,  food,  clothing,  and  Divi- 
dends might  be  procured  at  any  rate  for  all  con- 
cerned. 

45,  Such  mutual  plan  if  duly  combined  with 
religious  Tolerance  and  Love  to  all  men,  might 
be  still  more  successful  any  where.    There  will 
be  no  doubt  many  pious  men  who  may  give  it  a 


17 

trial  ere  long,  and  if  they  do  not  split  upon  the 
rock  of  intolerance,  or  imposing  their  tenets  on 
a! I  their  associates,  it  must  eventually  succeed 
on  a  large  sca!e,  but  only  partially  if  peculiar 
dogmas  are  to  he  dictated  and  assented  to,  or  a 
monkish  life  inculcated. 

46,  If  we  suppose  that  there  are  no  Wealthy 
men  devoid  of  Cupidity,  or  liberal  enough  to 
dedicate  a  small  share  of  their  Wealth  to  im- 
prove Mankind  at  large,  yet  we  know  that  thene 
arc  many  who  either  in  life  or  death  may  bestow 
something  for  several  useful  purposes.  We  have 
seen  some  who  thro'  Ostentation  have  by  their 
wills  left  endowments  for  Hospitals,  Colleges, 
Libraries,  &c.  all  useful  purposes  also  ;  bat  very 
few  indeed  do  it  while  alive  and  able  to  enjoy 
the  gratification  of  seeing  the  good  they  devise, 

dt,  Wills  have  been  concealed,  perverted  or 
set  aside,  what  is  done  while  living  is  done  ac- 
cording to  the  real  intent,  and  can  be  enjoyed 
by  thd  Donor  as  well  as  the  public.  Sir  Isaac 
Newton  has  said  .  .  .  thCAj  who  gave  away 
nothing  till  they  died  never  gave  at  all .  .  .  He 
meant  because  they  could  keep  it  no  longer.  Yet 
it  is  better  to  leave  even  by  a  proper  will  a  share 
of  superfluous  wealth,  than  to  leave  all  to  Heirs 
who  do  not  want  the  whole :  while  Millions  of 
men  destitute  or  suffering  are  craving  for  a  small 
share  of  this  bounty. 

48,  No  religion  inculcates  more  the  need  of 
charitable  deeds,  than  our  holy  Religion,  since 
the  divine  founder  of  it  has  explicitly  said  that, 
He  who  feeds  the  Hungry  and,  thirsty,  or  who 
relieves  miseries,  verity  does  the  same  to  Me  ! 
.  .  .  and  ample  rewards  in  Heaven  are  provided 
for  those  who  perform  this  duty.  Nevertheless 
how  many  neglect  it,  or  only  give  to  Churches 
3 


18 

and  religious  Societies,  not  mentioned  in  the 
Gospels. 

49,  The  Gospel  asserts  that  it  is  as  hard  for 
a  Rich  man  to  go  to  Heaven,  as  for  a  Cable 
(called  Camel  in  Greek)  to  pass  thro'  the  eye 
of  a  Needle  .  .  .  the  needle  must  be  very  large 
indeed  that  will  allow  it,  and  the  Wealthy  men 
who  reach  Heaven  by  good  deeds  performed 
while  alive,  (since  they  do  not  reckon  after 
death)  are  too  few  .  .  .  Hear  it  you  Misers  and 
Greedy  holders  of  Wealth,  and  tremble !  unless 
you  be  what  you  are  ashamed  to  own,  worship- 
ers of  Mammon  by  Cupidity  and  Hypocrisy, 
instead  of  the  God  of  Heaven  and  Love. 

50,  In  this  we  are  put  to  shame  by  the  pious 
Musselmen,  who  are  enjoined  to  give  one-tenth 
of  their  income  or  profits  yearly  in  Alms  or  good 
deeds,  and  to  leave  as  much  when  they  die.  .  . 
They  even  may  give  the  whole,  and  thus  through- 
out the  East  have  been  founded  pious  Hospitals, 
Churches,  Colleges,  Bridges,  Roads,  Fountains, 
Inns.  Schools,  Libraries  and  other  useful  Works, 
all  deemed  Alms  to   the  poor  or  the   needy. 
Even  the  Jains  of  India  and  other  Heathens 
deem  such  Alms  a  duty ! 

51,  In  Catholic  Countries,  altho'  the  priests 
often  exact  the  Jewish  tithe  and  admit  of  indul- 
gences and  other  benefits  to  themselves  alone, 
yet  they  inculcate  the  need  of  pious  Works,  and 
Charitable    Institutions    are    numerous   every 
where,  extending  to  all  kinds  of  requisites  for 
the  poor  even  to  provide  them  with  work,  tools, 
small  loans  of  money,  &c,  or  to  teach  trades  and 
arts  gratis,  to  educate  orphans,  give  dowries  to 
poor  girls, .  .  The  only  evil  result  is  that  by  pro- 
viding alms  and   food  for  the  poor,  they  encou- 
rage beggars  and  paupers. 


19 

52,  Meantime,  how  many  pleasures  are  in 
reserve  for  the  Wealthy,  who  discarding  those 
arising  from  vicious  indulgence  or  even  mere 
luxury,  find  a  delight  in  doing  good,  relieving 
distress,  fostering  merit  and  rewarding  the  wor- 
thy. .  .  Thrice  happy  are  they,  who  beloved  of 
God  who  has  gifted  them  with  wealth  for  good 
purposes,  do  not  abuse  their  trust,  but  deserve 
the  Veneration  of  their  fellow  men,  by  becoming 
their  Benefactors,  thro'  the  exertion  of  Benevo- 
lence, Charity,  Generosity  and  Philanthropy. 
To  such  as  these  belong  the  joys  of  Earth  and 
Heavens :  tfeey  may  be  deemed  Angels  sent  to 
comfort,  relieve  and  lessen  Human  Miseries,  or 
lead  along  the  Sinful  Mortals  upon  the  paths  of 
Celestial  life. 

53,  The   most  obvious   use   (and  duty)  of 
Wealth  is  to  procure  happiness  to  us  and 
others  (Principles  of  Wealth  230) — Yes,  happi- 
ness may  be  derived  from  this  use,  and  whoever 
having  the  means  that  it  supplies  perverts  them 
to  bad  purposes,  or  deny  their  use  to  those  who 
may  lack  them,  altho'  as  worthy  as  themselves. 
,.  .  Such  indeed  are  doomed  to  a  sad  fate,  which 
they  can  hardly  avert  by  death-bed  restitutions 
to  pious  or  useful  purposes. 

54,  Hear  what  a  poet  has  said 

Industry  ought  to  earn,  and  wealth  enjoy  .  .  . 
Happy  the  men  who  seldom  evils  know 
Never  oppress  the  poor,  but  wealth  bestow  .... 
When  wisdom  ruling  us  shall  justice  teach, 
The  golden  age  again  shall  make  us  rich, 
The  wealthy  sharing  well  their  ample  store 
Shall  jointly  seek,  the  blessings  we  implore. 

55,  To  suggest  some  of  the  public  and  private 
•wants  that  may  be  supplied  by  Wealth  properly 
applied,  may  perhaps  induce  some  one  to  attend 


'20 


thereto,  or  at  least  sow  the  seeds  of  such  im- 
provements:  «ince  it  is  not  always  individual 
Wealth  that  achieves  the  most,  but  the  contri- 
butions of  many  that  can  spare  a  little,  have  of- 
ten effected  as  much.*  The  widow  mites  and 
the  penny  subscriptions  have  sometimes  realized 
beyond  belief.  Tfte  small  sums  spent  by  mil- 
lions, in  vicious  habits  of  drinking,  smoking, 
chewing,  snuffing,  law-suits  and  quarrels,  &c. 
could  alone  afford  enough  to  change  the  lace  of 
the  Earth  if  applied  thereto. 

56,  Of  all  such  wasted  savings,  the  greedy 
priestly  or  political   leaders  try  to  divest  their 
tools,  and  often  succeed   altho'  their  purposes 
are  not  always  pure.    Ever  since  the  Churches 
have  drunk  of  the  baneful  Cup  of  Cupidity,  they 
are  become   corrupt  and  unworthy  of  cordial 
support.     It  will  be  better  to  apply  the  Super- 
fluity of  Wealth  and  the  petty  Savings  of  Indus- 
try (which  amount  to  a  great  deal  when  exten^ 
sive  or  often  renewed)  to  the  purpose  of  actually 
benefiting  the  very  Donors  or  Contributors. 

57,  Patriots    recommend    the    patronage   of 
Education,  Colleges,  Libraries,  Schools,  Agri- 
culture, Arts  and  Sciences,    Learning,  Useful 
Hooks  and  other  objects,  connected  with  the 
general  increase  of  knowledge,  and   improve- 
ment of  mankind.     All  these  objects  arc  com- 
mendable, and  too  much  can  never  be  done  to 
foster  the  nurseries  of  knowledge,  supply  the 
v  ints  of  youth  and  even  older  age  by  study  or 
otherwise.     Popular  Lectures  have  been  effec- 
tual in  inculcating  or  teaching  what  many  men 
will  not  seek  in  books,  and  therefore  are  equally 
useful.     To   endow  free   Lectures,  Museums, 
Libraries  and  other  Sources  of  Knowledge,  are 
among  the  most  noble  and   praiseworthy  plea- 


21 

sures  and  duties  of  wealth,  but  most  of  ours  are 
as  yet  venal. 

58,  Those  who  befr:end  Genius  when  it  is 
struggling  for  distinction,  befriend  the  World ', 

£?_?  O*/  ^  **       *         »/ 

and  their  names  should  be  held  in  remem- 
brance (Cunningham's  Life  of  West) — Yes  to 
seek,  foster  and  protect  Genius  is  one  of  the 
highest  prerogatives  of  Wealth.  Genius  how- 
ever is  hot  confined  to  Painters  or  Machinists, 
it  applies  and  belongs  to  all  Inventors,  whoever 
seeks,  finds  and  makes  known  useful  or  valua- 
ble facts  or  things,  to  Original  Authors,  Poets, 
Dramatists,  Philosophers,  Historians,  Natural- 
ists, Botanists,  Astronomers,  ...  as  well  as 
Manual  Laborers,  from  the  inventor  of  Sandals 
or  Shoes,  to  that  of  Steam  Engines  and  Tele- 
scopes. To  all  these  the  friendly  help  or  patron- 
age of  Wealth  is  needful  at  present;  in  a  better 
state  of  Society,  it  would  be  the  duty  of  the  pub- 
lic to  reward  them. 

59,  Dr.  David  Brewster  has  said — The  labors 
of  Science  have  no  counterpart  of  evil,  they  are 
the  liberal  bequest  of  great  minds  to/ every  indi- 
vidual of  their  race.     Wherever  they  are  wel- 
come and  honored  they  become  the  solace  of 
private  life,  the  ornament  and  bulwark  of  the 
Commonwealth, — Such  eulogy  is  deserved  ;  but 
as  such  men  are  seldom  gifted  also  with  Wealth 
like  Humboldt  or  Banks,  it  is  the  duty  of  Wealth 
to  patronize  such  exalted  merit.     In  Europe  the 
Savans  or  Learned  begin  to  form  a  High  Class, 
not  so  with  us  as  yet ;  but  it  may  be  so  ere  long, 
a  real  Nobility  accessible  to  all  talents. 

60,  If  it  is  asked  how  patronage  is  to  be  ex- 
erted, it  may  be  answered — Honor  the  Men  of 
Genius  and  Learning,  publish  or  buy  their  works, 
their   talents,   the   labors  of   their  hands  and 

3* 


22 

minds,  give  them  rewards  or  medals, make  them 
happy  in  life  and  old  age,  do  not  allow  them  to 
fall  in  neglect  to  poverty  .  .  .  There  are  many 
ways  to  evince  our  respect  and  sympathy  for 
these  henefactors  of  mankind,  they  will  suggest 
themselves  when  opportunities  oner.  Wealth 
by  fostering  Talents,  Science  and  Genius  par- 
takes of  their  immortality. 

61,  A  general  helief  prevails  that  benevolence 
or  Charity  ought  to  exert  itself  chiefly  on  the 
Sick,  the  Blind,  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  the  Crip- 
ples, the  Orphans,  the  unfortunate  of  all  classes 
.  .  .   and  these  are  thereby  well  provided  for 
in  many  instances,  while  we  forget  the  Indigent 
by  misfortune,  lack  of  work,  the  oppressed,  the 
persecuted,  the  distressed,  the  old   and  infirm, 
the  Invalids,  the  men  ruined  by  Accidents,  Ship- 
wrecks, Fires,  Casualties  .  .  ,  .  with  many  more 
unfortunate  beings,  all  equally  deserving   the 
help  of  Wealth  to  be  restored  to  happiness  or 
comforts. 

62,  Asylums  for  old  age  exist  in  some  parts 
of  Europe,  and   are  quite  as  needed  as  Orphan 
Asylums.     They  are  unknown  as  yet  with  us, 
where  old  age  often  meets  with  neglect.     They 
might   be  established  by  Wealth,  or  even   by 
Associates  paying  small  rates  for  years  previous 
or  a  cheap   board,  in  some  easy  labor,  or  by 
teaching  ....  How  grateful  to  see  venerable 
Men  or  Women  bless  you,  if  you  should  provide 
such  an  Asylum ;  a  small  farm  will  do,  some 
proper  buildings  might  be  added,  a  school  kept 
by  Veterans  of  all  professions  might  be  very 
useful.     Such   Asylums  only  exist   among  the 
Moravians,  but  we  ought  to  have  one  in  each 
County.     It  is  not  in  poor  houses  that  disabled 


23 


or  venerable  age  ought  to  be  confined,  nor  inixt 
with  the  Vicious  Poor  that  are  its  tenants. 

63,  We  build   extensive  Palaces  or  Castles 
for  Prisons,  Houses  of  Refuge,  Penitentiaries 
and  Poor  Houses,  spending  Millions  thereon, 
and  we  do  not  yet  build  modest  suitable  houses 
for  honest  reduced  families  or  Individuals,  wil- 
ling even  to  work  ;  but  shrinking  for  the  con- 
tamination of  Felons,  Drunkards  and  Vicious 
poor — The  Felons,  Convicts  and  Delinquents 
are  better  treated  than  honest  Indigence  or  de- 
cay— Shame  upon  us  for  it — Open  your  hearts 
and  purses  you  Men  of  Wealth,  and  fulfil  this 
duty  by  providing  little  farms  or  houses  for  the 
honest  and  sober  poor  or  aged  Men  or  Women, 
or   destitute   children,   and   allowing   them  to 
work  for  you  there  if  able, 

64,  Colonies  afford  the  means  to  relieve  much 
human   misery.     We  have  only  attempted  to 
colonize  the  free  blacks  in  Africa  :  do  not  the 
free  whites  deserve  as  much  care  ?     We  have 
within  our  States  ample  room  and  scope   for 
many  such  Colonies  of  worthy  families,  unable 
to  buy  even  our  cheap  Lands.     Wealthy  men  if 
generous  could  buy  large  tracts  of  land  and  re- 
tail it  in  small  farms  at  cost,  or  with  simple  in- 
terest added  till  paid,  when  convenient  and  able 
thro'  their  labor — But  Cupidity  bids  our  Weal- 
thy men  to  buy  at  $1.25  per  acre  and  resell  to 
the  poor  at  $2,  3  or  5. 

65,  Even  Tenants  on  perpetual   Leases  of  8 
or  10  Cents  per  Acre  might  gratify  the  desire 
of  perpetual  Wealth  and  command  the  gratitude 
of  good  Colonists,  but  it  is  not  enough,  and 
tenants  are  not  yet  to  be  found  on  the  hard  terms 
exacted — Learn  wisdom  men  of  wealth,  lessen 
your  demands,  and  offer  cheap  bargains  to  nee- 


24 

<ly  good  families,  which  will  be  bound  to  you  by 
respect  and  gratitude  for  this  and  other  benefits 
you  may  devise  for  them  in  happy  Colonies. 

00,  But  far  more  distant  Colonies  could  also 
he  attempted  :  England  is  now  colonizing  Aus- 
tralia, New  Zealand,  South  Africa,  the  Falk- 
lands,  aiming  next  to  Patagonia,  California, 
Madagascar,  Papua,  &c. — We  have  within  our 
limits  Florida  and  Origon  .  .  .  Texas  has  been 
begun  altho'  thro'  violent  means.  The  Earth 
is  not  yet  half  filled  with  human  beings,  while 
millions  are  still  wanting  lands  or  locations.  To 
help  them  is  a  noble  achievement,  the  founder 
of  new  Colonies  may  become  equal  to  William 
Penn  or  Roger  Williams  if  led  by  the  happy 
genius  of  tolerance  like  thern. 

07,  To  foster  Commerce  is  a  public  duty  and 
the  trade  of  merchants,  but  men  of  Wealth  may 
increase  it  while  they  patronize  it;  they  might 
send  trading  Ships  as  well  as  Whaling  Ships  all 
over  the  world,  to  seek  and  open  new  channels 
of  trade,  to  collect  the  Botanical,  Zoological  and 
Mineral  treasures  of  the  shores  and  the  deep 
ocean  :  many  Lands  and  Islands  little  explored 
as  yet  are  replete  with  novelties  and  treasures 
of  Natural  History  for  our  Colleges,  Museums, 
«fec.  such  are  all  the  shores  of  East  Africa,  Bor- 
neo, the  Moluccas,  Papua  or  New  Guinea, North 
Australia,  and  even  those  of  Mexico,  Guathnala, 
Guayaquil,  Brazil.  &c. 

08,  Roads,  Bridges,  Canals,  and  even  Chtirch- 
es,  &c.  are  built  with  us  by  Corporations  or  In- 
dividual contributions  for  gain  ;  but  we  \ackfree 
Institutions  of  all  kind,  where  tuition  or  admis- 
sion be  gratuitous ;  free  Schools,  Colleges,  Mu- 
seums, Libraries,  and  even  Churches:  many  are 
rcpuised  by  compulsory  taxation  from  the  actual 


25 

Institutions. .  .  Labor  Schools  and  Colleges,  Mu* 
tual  Libraries  and  Museums,  would  obviate  to 
this  defect.  Intolerance  has  invaded  our  Led- 
ture  rooms  and  Persecution  has  struck  the  Mor- 
mons and  Abolitionists,  even  if  they  be  fanatics, 
it  is  a  sad  blot  on  our  boasted  freedom  !  May 
Providence  avert  the  recurrence  of  such  foul 
deeds  and  the  penalty  of  the  incured  iniquity. 

69,  Labor  Schools,  both  for  male  and  female 
children  and  adults,  are  the  most  useful  of  all ; 
few  means  are  required  to  establish  them,  a 
small  farm  or  a  piece  of  Land,  all  the  buildings 
may  afterwards  be  raised   by  the  labor  of  the 
Students  !     Some  Donations  of  Books,  or  small 
endowments  for  needful  expenses  are  useful,  thef 
teachers  and  students  will  afterwards  be  sup- 
ported by  the  Land.   They  ought  to  be  establish- 
ed by  thousands,  nay  all  other  schools  be  chang- 
ed into  these  ;  the  ample  funds  of  all  the  States 
for  School  purposes  would  afford  them  all  the 
requisites.  In  the  Western  States  there  is  Land 
already  beyond  their  need  if  applied  thereto  out 
of  the  School  Lands. 

70,  To  these  may  be  united  Botanical  Gar- 
dens, Agricultural  Schools,  to  improve  Farming, 
tools,  machinery  and  procure  or  spread  useful 
plants,  either  domestic  or  exotic,  useful  for  me- 
dical, tinctorial,  and  feeding  purposes,  raising 
Oil,  Sugar,  Wax,  Honey,  Silk,  &c.  Such  schools 
well  endowed  are  scattered  all  over  Europe,  but 
yet  unknown  with  us — Any  Farmer  that  can 
spare  100  Acres  of  Land  could  establish  one, 
after  some  years  they  support  themselves. 

71,  These  Schools  would  be  the  best  Asy- 
lums for  Orphans,  male  and  female,  instead  of 
crowding  them  in  Cities  or  Splendid  buildings  ; 
they  rather  require  country  air,  labor,  exerciser 

4 


26 

and  good  food  raised  by  themselves — Asylums; 
of  young  females  or  Widows,  so  much  required 
with  us,  instead  of  the  Nunneries  of  Europe, 
would  also  be  best  in  farms  or  small  villages, 
where  food  is  cheap,  and  their  labor  at  the  nee- 
dle or  otherwise  would  amply  support  them:  nay 
they  might  become  excellent  female  Schools. 

72,  All  such  useful  Institutions  should  be  puL 
on  the  safe  footing  of  security  by  good  perpetua. 
deeds,  so  as  to  insure  their  perpetuity  and  con- 
stant useful  purposes  for  ages  to  come,  for  the 
use  of  those  wishing  to  avail  themselves  of  their 
benefits  at  any  time,  without  ever  refusing  any 
one,  but  forming  branches  when  too  crowded. 
Altho'  we  cannot  foresee  futurity  nor  prescribe 
laws  for  very  late  generations,  yet  we  can  effect 
the  good  contemplated  to  last  until  our  designs 
and  Institutions  may  be  merged  into  something 
better,  brought  on  by  the  lapse  of  time.     We 
shall  have  the  gratification  of  seeing  the  good 
performed,  the  merit  of  overcoming  the  difficul- 
ties of  the  outset,  and  be  able  to  say — We  have 
not  lived  in  vain  on  this  Earth,  since  we  have 
done  some  good,  and  tried  to  maJce  it  perrna- 
nent. 

73,  If  piously  inclined,  we  may  base  our  In- 
stitutions upon   the   religious   commands,  but 
without  exacting  superfluous  tenets,  since  chari- 
ty does  not  acknowledge  them — If  otherwise  in- 
clined, we  may  base  them  on  the  universal  Be- 
nevolence of  correct  minds,  or  even  upon  the 
mere  cold  system  of  utility  ;   but  let  us  beware 
to  intrude  therein  the  delusion  of  fanatical  Sects, 
whether  religious  or  anti-religious.     It  will  al- 
ways be  vain  to  act  against  the  human  nature  of 
self  interest  as  some  propose,  and  still  worse  if 


27 

we  will  not  grant  any  merit  in  good  deeds,  la- 
tents,  activity,  industry,  &c. 

74,  Let  us  rather  admit  self  interest  as  the 
leading  motives  of  our  conduct,  foundations,  In- 
stitutions, &c. — and  grant  the  utmost  latitude  to 
merit,  by  praise  and  rewards  for  donations,  abi- 
lities, inventions,  for  useful  or  agreeable  perfor- 
mances.   Piety  and  Charity  derive  their  sanc- 
tion from  the  hope  of  happiness  here  and  here- 
after in  the  Worlds  of  glory  and  bliss  swarming 
in   the   Celestial   Regions.     Those   who  deny 
themselves  the  Hope  of  Heaven  thro'  disbelief 
or  Vicious  Cupidity,  must  be  satisfied  with  ma- 
king themselves  less  wretched  in  this  life.     But 
how  superior  to  them,  are  the  Happy  minds  that 
seek  to  reach  the  Heavens,  thro'  the  paths  of 
Charity  and  good  deeds,  thus  becoming  happy 
here  and  hereafter,  and   conferring  the  same 
hope  and  happiness  to  many  fellow  beings. 

75,  THE  BESETTING  NATIONAL  SIN  OF  AME- 
RICA is  CUPIDITY — To  make  money  any  how,  to 
obtain  it  fairly  or  unfairly,  is  the  great  aim  of 
Life — While  the  repairing  corrective  may  be  to 
spend  it  properly  and  usefully  when  acquired — 
If  Money  procures  with  us  Influence,  Regard, 
Reputation,  Friends  arid  even  a  Pseudo-Nobi- 
lity, altho'  spent  in  Ostentation,  and  Selfish  gra- 
tifications;  when  spent    to  better  purposes  of 
public  or  general  benefit,  it  would  no  doubt  com- 
mand Respect,  Esteem,  Approbation  and  Gra- 
titude .  .  . 

76,  But  if  Worth,  Merit,  Probity,  Sincerity, 
Talents,  Industry,  Zeal,  Fortitude,  Knowledge, 
Benevolence,  and  all  the  other  Virtues  or  quali- 
ties adorning  Mankind,  were  to  be  united  to 
Wealth  in  the  same  Individual,  or  fostered  by 
Wealth  when  separated,  so  as  to  act  jointly  in 


improving  Mankind  and  Society  .  .  .  they  would 
deserve  and  obtain  universal  Admiration,  Vene- 
ration and  Love. 

77,  There  are  some  desponding  minds  that 
consider  almost  every  attempt  at  moral  improve- 
ments  as  either  useless  or  ineffectual.     Such 
have  said  that  altho'  Experience  has  been  accu- 
mulating ever  since  Creation,  it  hardly  avails, 
Reason  bidding  in  vain  to  make  past  errors  our 
Wisdom.   But  nevertheless  Mankind  has  always 
been  improving,  (with  occasional  relapses)  in  a 
moral,  social  and  physical  sense.  It  is  ignorance, 
apathy  and  neglect  that  delay  and  thwart  all 
improvements  in  Science,  Religion,  Knowledge 
and  Human  weal ;  while  the  contrary  tendency 
of  Knowledge,  Hope,  Zeal  and  Talent  can  effect 
every  thing  desirable. 

78,  How  long  has  the  pulpit  existed  to  teach 
us  our  duties,  with  laws,  jails  and  gallows  to  en- 
force  them  !  and  yet  they  hardly  avail ;  they 
punish  but  do  not  prevent,  they  never  attack  Cu- 
pidity since  they  thrive  on  it,  and  many  other 
Vices  are  equally  overlooked  or  even  fostered. 
.  .  It  is  vain  to  talk  of  right  and  justice  to  starv- 
ing men ;  Hunger,  want,  misery,  &c.  are  more 
powerful  than  Conscience,  and  will  ever  be,  as 
long  as  Wealth  does  not  provide  for  their  relief. 
Every  family  ought  to  be  above  the  fear  of  ulti- 
mate penury :  Charity  bids  to  effect  this,  but 
Cupidity  and  Pride  (the  Satanic  Vices)  delay  it 
or  prevent  it. 

79,  Is  it   not  more   important    to  help  our 
neighbors  and  make  them  happy,  than  to  spend 
millions  in  Missions  to  Heathens  often  happier 
than  we  are,  to  offer  them  the  gift  of  our  corrupt, 
sinful  and   warring  Sects,  training  millions  of 
Soldiers  to  kill  and  be  killed  by  turns,  in  the 


29 

name  of  the  Religion  of  Peace  ;  or  else  to  poi- 
son them  with  Opium,  Rum  and  Tobacco  with 
one  hand,  and  tender  them  the  Mistranslated 
Bible  with  the  other  .  .  .  But  when  Charity  and 
Love  shall  have  conquered  with  us  Cupidity  and 
War,  we  might  then  endeavor  to  spread  all  over 
the  Earth,  the  holy  Religion  of  Peace  and  Love. 
The  Societies  of  Peace  arid  Temperance  with 
others  acting  on  the  true  holy  principle  are  hut 
beginning  the  work  of  Reform,  Concord  and 
Love,  which  Wealth  maj*  achieve  thro'  many 
other  channels. 

80,  Let  us  conclude  by  the  following  quotation 
from  the  Celestial  philosophy  page  130 — MEN 
OF  WEALTH!  who  blest  with  the  superfluities  of 
accumulation,  are  yet  surrounded  with  human 
wretchedness,  learn  to  relieve  it  and  to  practice 
the  difficult  art  of  DOING  GOOD  to  many,  making 
your  Charity  diffusible  like  the  Divine  Light 
and  Lov© — but  discarding  Cupidity  and  Ava- 
rice that  lead  you  to  perdition,  in  the  worship  of 
the  Idols  of  Self  and  Pelf— 

By  lives  of  purity, 

And  deeds  of  charity, 

We  shall  thy  care  deserve, 

And  holy  grace  preserve: 

Thou  only  hope  of  all 

The  men  that  sin  and  fall.     (Univ.  Prayer. 

RESULTS. 

1,  Therefore  it  is  evident  that  the  main  Duty 
of  Wealth  is  to  employ  a  share  of  its  superfluity 
in  good  deeds.     By  doing  so  the  Wealthy  will 
secure  the  best  human  pleasures,  those  of  bene- 
ficence, and  moreover  obtain  the  celestial  re- 
wards of  good  actions. 

2,  This  must  be  done  while  alive,  in  order  to 

4* 


30 

have  the  full  merit,  enjoy  public  approbation, 
and  avoid  the  evrils  of  delay  or  misapplication. 

3,  A  single  Wealthy  Individual  might  hasten, 
(or  he  the  precursor  of)  the  expected  Millenium 
of  Happiness  and  Justice,  by  a  proper  use  of  his 
ample  means  to  redeem  human  miseries. 

4,  In  Selecting  how  to  apply  Wealth  to  good 
purposes,   we   ought  to  prefer   those  purposes 
which  may  be  beneficial  to  the  greatest  number 
in  perpetuity. 

5,  Endowments  of  Charitable  and  Benevolent 
Institutions.  Asylums,  Associations  .  .  .  for  gra- 
tuitous Education,  Spreading  Knowledge,  re- 
lieving evils  and  miseries,  or  procuring  general 
happiness  .  .  ,  appear  to  be  the  most  suitable  of 
all. __ 

NOTICE. 

If  the  Wealthy  to  whom  these  Inducements 
to  good  deeds  will  be  presented,  are  not  liberal 
enough  to  value  them,  they  are  requested  to  hand 
them  to  some  one  more  generous  or  calculated 
to  appreciate  them. 

If  they  are  duly  appreciated  by  them,  they  are 
invited  to  shew  it  by  effecting  some  good  deeds, 
and  if  they  require  the  help  of  the  Writer,  it  shall 
not  be  lacking;  his  gratuitous  services  and  am- 
ple stores  of  tools  of  knowledge  being  dedicated 
to  effect  the  greatest  available  purposes  of  a  use- 
ful perpetual  tendency. 

If  any  one  of  them  wishes  to  be  grateful  to- 
wards the  Eleutherhim  of  Knowledge,  estab- 
lished to  promote  free  Education  and  Universal 
Benevolence,  they  may  either  purchase  the 
Works  already  issued,  or  give  a  trifling  mite  to 
enable  to  continue  these  publications,  and  spread 
the  seeds  of  good  purposes. 


31 


ELEUTHERIUM    OF    KNOWLEDGE. 

Established  in  1837,  to  promote  free  Institu- 
tions and  Schools,  the  free  diffusion  of  know- 
ledge, by  publishing  Works,  Pamphlets,  Jour- 
nals, free  Lectures,  exertions,  &c. 

No  Contribution  exacted,  each  Member  or 
Associate  must  have  the  merit  to  tax  himself,  or 
give  whatever  he  pleases  or  can  afford  in  money, 
labor,  materials,  &c.  Every  Dollar  of  Dona- 
tions entitles  a  Member  to  a  Vote. 

This  Institution  aims  also  at  establishing  La- 
bor Colleges  and  gratuitous  Schools  in  several 
States;  and  to  colonize  honest  temperate  fami- 
lies, providing  them  with  perpetual  farms  paya- 
ble in  Labor  at  the  mere  cost. 

Every  benevolent  and  charitable  object  aim- 
ing to  improve  mankind,  and  to  promote  ulti- 
mate happiness  by  means  of  Peace  on  Earth 
and  good  will  to  all  men,  shall  be  fostered  as 
far  as  the  means  will  allow. 


WORKS  AND  PAMPHLETS, 

PUBLISHED   BY   THE 

ELEUTHERIII191    OF    KNOWLEDGE. 

Theory  of  the.  Visible  Creation  by  Thomas 
Wright,  Astronomer,  1750 — re-printed  with 
notes,  1837—75  Cts. 

Celestial  Wonders  and  Philosophy  of  the  Visi- 
ble Heavens,  \vith  Theory  of  Futurity,  1838 — 
50  Cts. 


32 

Genius  and  Spirit  of  the  OBIU  or  Hebrew  Bi- 
ble, 1838—$!,  10  Copies  for  $5. 

Improvements  of  Universities  and  Colleges, 
1839 — pamphlet  given  gratis. 

Manual  of  the  Mulberry  Trees,  40  kinds, 
1839—50  Cts.  25  Copies  for  $5. 

The  Improver,  Monthly  Journal,  1840 — 12 
Cents  per  annum — New  Aurora,  1837,  given 
gratis. 

Some  late  Works  of  Professor  Rqfinesque 
— American  Nations  before  Columbus,  2  Vol.  $3 
— Medical  Flora  of  the  United  States,  2  Vol. 
100  figures,  $3— Instability  of  the  World  $1.50, 
five  copies  for  $5 — Trees  and  Shrubs  of  North 
America,  &c.  $5 — NevV  Botany  of  North  Ameri- 
ca, 4  Vol.  $5— Flora  Telluriana,  4  Vol.  $5— 
Life  of  Travels  and  Researches,  75  Cents — 
Fishes  and  Shells  of  the  River  Ohio,  $5— Auti- 
kon  Botanikon  or  Figures  of  New  and  Rare 
Plants,  text  50  Cents  per  part  of  500,  the  figures 
$50  for -each  500 — Amenities  of  Nature,  New 
Animals  and  Plants,  Principles  of  Wealth,  The 
Pulmist,  Ancient  Monuments  of  America,  &c. 


ADDITION  to  article  75 — If  we  believe  that 
Money  is  tlte  root  of  all  Evil  (Gospel,)  why 
are  we  so  greedy  to  obtain  it  and  keep  it  ?  or 
why  not  do  without  it  ?  .  .  Nothing  easier  as 
soon  as  some  families  will  supply  all  needful 
wants  to  each  other,  having  obtained  a  location 
from  Wealth  and  Benevolence. 


THE   END. 


"1 

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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


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